I would advise that the first place to begin with herbal medicine is by learning as much as you can about healing and general principles and practices of medicine. You can learn as much about plants, herbs, tinctures, and salves; and even the specific mechanisms of action each herbs' compounds produce but this alone will not make you an effective herbalist or healer. To become adept at herbal medicine you must include in your studies the fundamental sciences at which we aim to work with and eventually heal and this includes having a firm knowledge and understanding of human biology, physiology, anatomy, and psychology. It is with these sciences that we learn about the human body and mind, how each individual structure, system, and organ functions and is affected by numerous substances that exist within our surroundings.